Is it possible to revive a reexamination proceeding based on unavoidable delay?
This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
No, it is no longer possible to revive a reexamination proceeding based on unavoidable delay. The MPEP clearly states:
“37 CFR 1.137 was revised to implement the changes in the Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 (PLTIA) to eliminate revival of an abandoned application and reexamination prosecution terminated under § 1.550(d) under the ‘unavoidable’ standard, and to provide for the revival of abandoned applications and the acceptance of delayed responses in reexamination by patent owners on the basis of unintentional delay.”
This change was effective on December 18, 2013, and applies to all reexamination proceedings, regardless of their filing date. The only basis for revival is now unintentional delay.